February at Glamis

February seems to be the longest of months even though the calendar states otherwise. Cold and dismal most of the time, grey and uninviting; the days are getting longer but the temperature is not conducive to being outside for any length of time. We are all thankful that the snow has gone but watchful that we may get more. The castle is empty of visitors yet is still busy with winter maintenance, preparing for the seasonal rush of visitors in what will be a very busy year for us bearing in mind there is a royal wedding in the offing. Plans are already in full swing for our Royal Wedding Exhibition that will take place from the 29th April onwards throughout the season. The exhibition will include documentary and photographic displays of weddings at the castle. I have found the research fascinating; the photographs stunning and the documentary exhibits will give an insight to the intricacies of wedding planning before the advent of modern technology.
Plans are also well underway for the return of our Grand Scottish Prom on the 30th July and Super Early Bird Tickets (£27.50 each) are available until the 31st March. We are excited to be able to host the Royal Scottish National Orchestra who, under the baton of their conductor Grant Llewellyn, will accompany BBC Singer of the World finalist Giordano Luca in what promises to be an evening of exceptional entertainment. If you are planning on coming, now is a great time to buy your tickets.
For me, having recently been lucky enough to move into Glamis, it has been a month of packing, unpacking and familiarisation with the village and the people who live there. It is a great place, right on the doorstep of my place of employment and I already feel at home. I look forward to springtime now so that I can walk in the grounds amongst the spring flowers that are already beginning to pop up through the cold ground. I have already found snowdrops along the burn; daffodils are beginning to push their greenery through the grass of the parkland along the drive.
It has been a long winter for all of us, not finished yet of course but the light is at the end of the tunnel and spring is just about here. All of us are preparing for the 2011 season and looking forward to greeting the visitors who will join us at this most beautiful of castles.